Gulls and Spray 1942

print

abstract painting

water colours

green and blue tone

print

light earthy tone

handmade artwork painting

tile art

muted green

united-states

watercolour illustration

green and neutral

watercolor

"Gulls and Spray" is a 1942 color woodcut by Eva Auld Watson, an American artist who was active from 1889 to 1989. This print features a dynamic composition with a flock of gulls flying over crashing waves, their wings spread as they dive toward the water. The artist captures the energy of the scene through the use of bold colors and strong lines, creating a sense of movement and excitement. The print is part of the Minneapolis Institute of Art's permanent collection and is a testament to Watson's skill as a printmaker and her appreciation for the natural world.

Comments

minneapolisinstituteofart about 1 year ago

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Eva Auld Watson loved printing on linoleum, specifically Armstrong-brand blocks that she glued to stiff board. While many block printers carved planks of wood, Watson loved the uniform color possible with linoleum. Even though Gulls and Spray consists of twelve colors, it was made with only four separate blocks. That’s because Watson used the linoleum like a palette, graduating some colors and introducing entirely new ones all on the same block. She then applied the block to wet paper, finding that the damp fibers made the colors blend further. In the midst of these harmonies reigns disharmony, as these seagulls flee the watery assault on their perch.